Heavy rain associated with the passage of Tropical Storm CHANTAL is expected to enhance rainfall over Hispaniola during the next week.

During the past week, a slight reduction in rainfall was observed over Hispaniola, with light rain recorded along the coasts and much of the interior of the Island. Heavy rain, however, fell over central Haiti and bordering western Dominican Republic. To the east, abundant (> 50 mm) rain was also registered across northeastern Dominican Republic. Since the beginning of the current season, while the central portions of Hispaniola have experienced seasonal surpluses, with positive anomalies exceeding 300 mm, the southern Peninsula and northwest portions of Haiti and parts of northern and easternmost Dominican Republic have received below-average rainfall, with seasonal deficits over 150 mm. For next week, heavy rain and strong winds are expected over Haiti, particularly, the southern Peninsula, and neighboring Dominican Republic as CHANTAL is forecast to move westward during early outlook period. Heavy rain is also forecast over northeastern Dominican Republic. The forecast increased rain during the next week should help to partially reduce or eliminate accumulated rainfall deficits and replenish ground moisture over the dry portions of the Island.